Among the Churches
Growth of the Church in Fort Worth, Tex.
I would like to write to the Sentinel in regard to the growth of our church, thinking it may help some other small, struggling church. It fills my heart with gratitude when I think of the progress and growth we have made.
A little over one years ago we were meeting in a hall down in the city. We were not satisfied with the surroundings and finally decided to move into a storeroom down-stairs, where it would be more convenient for strangers to attend. We did not have the large attendance we anticipated. We had just settled, when the building was sold, and we were compelled to move into a very unattractive and untidy hall, so much so that we did not like to take our visiting friends there.
After talking the matter over, we came to the conclusion that this would be an opportune time to build a church. Surely we were being driven by Love to find a place we could call home. To mortal sense for eighteen people to build a church seemed a foolish thing to do; but in constantly realizing that God was our supply, we had no fear of consequences, and in a very short time we were worshiping in our own church.
"Yea, the Almighty shall be they defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver."
The lot had already been supplied, and as I was treasurer, I had an opportunity of knowing how the silver poured into the treasury. It came from many unknown sources, and surely the above Scripture was filfilled.
Our church is located in the resident portion of the city, and many thought it very unwise to build where we did. They said, "People will not go so far." We never have had so many strangers attend our services and visit our reading room as we have in the past year. Neither have we ever sold as much literature as since building our church.
The membership has increased from eighteen to seventy-five The Sunday School is in a flourishing condition, having ninety members. We have had the pleasure of calling six of the lecturers, and to these able men and women credit is due for disabusing the minds of the public of a great deal of prejudice and being the means of bringing many to the Truth and to our church.
Claud McCabe.
Annual Meeting at Berlin, Ont.
The sixth annual meeting of First Church of Christ, Scientist, was held at their church on Water Street on Tuesday evening (November 26). The attendance was large and the services, outside of the various reports, impressive.
A simple digest of the fundamental principles upon which this church is based was given in connection with a hearty welcome to all present. The yearly reports show steady and satisfactory progress of the Berlin branch of this denomination, which is growing rapidly in the United States and Canada, also extending to many foreign countries. A conservative estimate of their following is placed at upwards of a million. There are now six hundred church organizations in various parts of the world, and many of their church buildings are costly and beautiful. The movement is reported to be steadily gaining adherents in England, where members of the nobility are engaged in the healing and teaching of Christian Science. The Earl and Countess of Dunmore and two of their daughters are devoted to this Cause.
Progress is also reported in Germany and other foreign countries.
According to the reports given by the officers of the Berlin church, at their annual meeting, it was organized seven years ago with twelve members. Their present handsome edifice in Berlin cost over nine thousand dollars, with a seating capacity of five hundred, a fair indication of their growth and prosperity. The æthetical wants of the congregation have been amply provided for by the constant introduction into the church edifice of flowers of the rarest varieties.
The audience at this annual meeting were delighted by the vocal selections rendered by a quartette composed of Miss Ziegler and Miss B. Bean, Messrs. J. B. Weber and D. B. Musselman. No department of this church appears to be neglected, and especial attention is paid to the social requirements of its adherents.—The Daily Telegraph.
Reading Room at Lansing, Mich.
A reading room, under the auspices of First Church of Christ, Scientist, has been opened in the Hollister Building, Room 310, and is open daily (Sundays excepted) from 2 to 5 P.M. A cordial invitation is extended to the public, and all who are interested in Christian Science literature. All the works of Mary Baker G. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, are on sale and for perusal; also The Christian Science Journal and Sentinel, published at 95 Falmouth Street, Boston, Mass., the only Christian Science Publishing House in the world.
During the last three or four years some three hundred and sixty reading rooms have been established in this country and Europe. The room in the Hollister Building has been comfortably and attractively furnished. A pretty rugcovers the floor. There are also a large library table, bookcase, writing-desk, easy-chairs, etc. The walls are tinted a pale buff, against which are hung appropriate pictures. An attendant is always in charge to receive visitors and to give any information required.—The State Republican.
Reading Room at Columbia, Mo.
The Christian Science reading room has been opened and is located in Room 10, Haden Building. The room is tastefully arranged and is a home-like place to spend a leisure hour. It is specially intended to be a place where one can be correctly informed about Christian Science, and where the literature can be read and obtained. The Daily Tribune.
